Latest releases
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1,874 releases
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Communities budget will reduce support for most vulnerable, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says the Department for Communities budget allocations will reduce support for vulnerable people, including the homeless, people with disabilities, addiction service users and domestic abuse victims. She cites cuts to new homes and rising homelessness spending, and…
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Department for Communities budget allocations for the forthcoming financial year Original release: Communities budget will reduce support for most vulnerable, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to special education nursery places would disadvantage the most vulnerable, warns Egan, echoing calls for SEN reform
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA condemns reports that the Educational Authority is considering closing some special school nursery units to fund primary one places, calling it short-sighted and a failure of area planning. She urges the EA and Department of Education to commit to…
Education Disability and equality Issue: EA consideration of closing special school nursery units Original release: Cuts to special education nursery places would disadvantage the most vulnerable, warns Egan, echoing calls for SEN reform (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh ecosystem facing significant new challenges – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, raises concern about new ecological challenges in Lough Neagh after blue-green algae was confirmed in the Toome Canal and spread to fishing waters. He says he and Cllr Henry Cushinan will seek a meeting with DAERA.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Blue-green algae confirmed in Toome Canal and Lough Neagh Original release: Lough Neagh ecosystem facing significant new challenges – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Maskey welcomes multi-million pound investment in West Belfast
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey says the multi‑million pound investment in West Belfast demonstrates confidence in local talent, delivering 169 new positions at the former Caterpillar site and offering apprenticeships, training and re‑skilling as part of a greener packaging venture.
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: Biopax investment creates jobs at former Caterpillar site Original release: Maskey welcomes multi-million pound investment in West Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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British government must support homeowners struggling with rising mortgage payments – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy calls on the British government to provide targeted support to homeowners whose mortgage rates have risen, as the Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates again. He also urges lenders to be flexible with borrowers facing higher repayments.
Economy and employment Housing Issue: Bank of England interest rate rise and mortgage repayment increases Original release: British government must support homeowners struggling with rising mortgage payments – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Essential people with learning disabilities are leaders of conversations around their lives, says Armstrong, marking Learning Disabilities Week
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA welcomes people with learning disabilities, families and support groups to Parliament Buildings to mark Learning Disability Week 2023. She says the event aims to challenge stigma and myths, and that people with learning disabilities should…
Disability and equality Original release: Essential people with learning disabilities are leaders of conversations around their lives, says Armstrong, marking Learning Disabilities Week (opens in a new tab)
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Homophobia never acceptable and needs to be challenged at every opportunity, says Tennyson, addressing tweets by DUP representative
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson calls on the DUP to address homophobic tweets directed at him from East Antrim MLA David Hilditch's account, noting they remain online. He urges party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to condemn them publicly and take disciplinary action.
Disability and equality Issue: Homophobic tweets from DUP MLA David Hilditch's account Original release: Homophobia never acceptable and needs to be challenged at every opportunity, says Tennyson, addressing tweets by DUP representative (opens in a new tab)
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Education Authority has duty to ensure every child has suitable school placement – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says he has written to the Education Authority asking for urgent school placements for children with special educational needs still waiting for an offer ahead of September entry to nursery or P1. He calls the situation outrageous, pointing to the statutory duty to place…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Education Authority has duty to ensure every child has suitable school placement – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to nursery hours for children with Special Needs ‘heartless’ – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan says the Education Authority’s decision to halve nursery provision for children with special educational needs at Arvalee Special School in Omagh is heartless, and she has written to demand an urgent meeting to have the cuts reversed.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority cuts nursery hours at Arvalee Special School Original release: Cuts to nursery hours for children with Special Needs ‘heartless’ – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Egan expresses condolences to the family and loved ones of Chloe Mitchell following Ballymena vigil
Alliance spokesperson Connie Egan MLA expresses condolences to the family of Chloe Mitchell after attending a vigil in Ballymena, saying gender-based violence must be tackled and eliminated across society.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena Original release: Egan expresses condolences to the family and loved ones of Chloe Mitchell following Ballymena vigil (opens in a new tab)
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Omagh Pride a crucial platform for LGBTQ people in rural communities west of the Bann, says Donnelly, ahead of event
Alliance Omagh Councillor Stephen Donnelly praises the organisers of Omagh Pride and says the event matters for LGBTQ+ people in rural areas west of the Bann, ahead of Saturday's event. He argues more progress is needed across Northern Ireland and says isolation is felt in West Tyrone.
Disability and equality Issue: Omagh Pride event 2023 Original release: Omagh Pride a crucial platform for LGBTQ people in rural communities west of the Bann, says Donnelly, ahead of event (opens in a new tab)
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NI carers are being left behind, says Alliance representatives, as Carer’s Leave Act sets out extra support for GB
Alliance's Stewart Dickson MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA say working carers in Northern Ireland risk missing out on extra leave under the Carer's Leave Act 2023 because it applies only to Great Britain for now. Dickson says the Department for the Economy will not implement it until an Executive is…
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Carer's Leave Act 2023 extension to Northern Ireland Original release: NI carers are being left behind, says Alliance representatives, as Carer’s Leave Act sets out extra support for GB (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna urges PM to introduce Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna urges Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to fund and implement a Northern Ireland Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, citing the murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena and the lack of an Executive to deliver it.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena Original release: Hanna urges PM to introduce Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to prioritise Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald welcomes a cross-party briefing on the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and hopes it goes out to public consultation soon. She calls for a functioning Executive with Ministers and a budget to drive the strategy forward.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Cross-party briefing on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy Original release: Executive needed to prioritise Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Continued absence of Assembly and local ministers could see further damage done to our natural environment, warns Blair
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes the Office for Environmental Protection's commitment to holding public bodies to account after a meeting with it, and warns that the continued absence of a minister and devolved Assembly could endanger environmental progress. He blames the DUP for stepping away…
Environment and climate Original release: Continued absence of Assembly and local ministers could see further damage done to our natural environment, warns Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Uncertain financial future for housing programme counterproductive and dangerous, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says the uncertain financial future of the Housing Executive's Supporting People programme is counterproductive and dangerous, blaming the lack of a strategic Budget during the political impasse. She calls for a reformed Executive to be restored immediately to secure…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Supporting People programme funding uncertainty during Stormont political impasse Original release: Uncertain financial future for housing programme counterproductive and dangerous, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Canadian Fires: Climate Change Reaps A Deadly Toll
People Before Profit says massive Canadian forest fires, with around 400 ablaze, are sending toxic smoke over New York and warns that warming temperatures are making forests more fire-prone. It calls for urgent action to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees and argues governments are…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: Canadian wildfires smoke reaching New York in June 2023 Original release: Canadian Fires: Climate Change Reaps A Deadly Toll (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin participates in global summit on women, peace and security
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin, Chair of the All-Party Group on Women, Peace and Security, reports attending a US State Department summit in Washington on the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network. She calls for a restored Executive to publicly commit to implementing UN Resolution 1325…
Disability and equality International affairs Original release: McLaughlin participates in global summit on women, peace and security (opens in a new tab)
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Savage Tory cuts impacting ability to hire more SEN staff – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says staff shortages are hampering the Education Authority's ability to recruit for special educational needs, blaming Tory budget cuts, after reports that 200 extra classes are needed. He calls for the Executive to be restored so parties can address support for…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Reports of 200 additional SEN classes needed amid staff shortages Original release: Savage Tory cuts impacting ability to hire more SEN staff – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Irwin vows to showcase progressive and vibrant nature of Ards and North Down as she becomes Deputy Mayor
Alliance Councillor Hannah Irwin, newly selected Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council, says she wants to showcase the borough's progressive and vibrant nature during her term. She thanks voters and pays tribute to outgoing Mayor Karen Douglas.
Local government Disability and equality Original release: Irwin vows to showcase progressive and vibrant nature of Ards and North Down as she becomes Deputy Mayor (opens in a new tab)